Forensic Science Careers

Prepare For The Forensic Science Careers That Best Suit You

What Types of Forensic Careers Are There?

In crime scene investigation and analysis, there are many types of forensic science careers that you can look into. It is a large spectrum, and most people specialize in only one area of the complete puzzle.

There are technicians who go to the actual crime scenes and collect forensic evidence like weapons, fingerprints, hair and DNA samples. They also work closely with police officers and government workers to help solve the case. There are also careers that focus on lab work alone; collecting the samples that are picked up from the scene and running tests to analyse them and determine where or from whom, they've come.

These specialties include fingerprint analysis, DNA matching, toxicology, weapons testing, analysing hair, fiber or tissue samples or working with bodily fluids. You need to determine if you are better suited for work in a lab where you are largely independent, or for investigative work where you have to assist other officers and perhaps interview witnesses on top of analysing the scene.

Degree Options

There are 2 year associate degree programs, but to ensure advancement in your career, getting a 4 year bachelor's degree is recommended. Because of all the specialties in forensic science, there are many degree subjects to choose from, so you need to find one that will cater best to your area of interest. If you want to focus on toxicology, get a degree in chemistry.

For general lab work, take forensic science with focuses on biology and chemistry. Additional pertinent options include criminal justice, forensic psychology or crime scene technology. The key is to choose an area to concentrate on before you apply to make sure you get the relevant education.

Forensic Science Career Outlook

The career outlook for forensic careers is strong, with an estimated rise of about 19% by 2012. That means around 360 new jobs being created each year. On top of that, there are very few skilled or experienced forensic scientists right now, so most newly trained applicants have no problem finding work.  Often a forensic science career is affiliated with the state government, but they do have to work closely with the local law enforcement.

A career as a forensic scientist can be quite lucrative, with a top salary range of about $31.50 an hour and an average of about $20 an hour. Your salary range will be based on the amount of education and experience you have, as well as where you work. Forensic science careers are exciting and challenging, and with the field looking the way it does now, they are stable and secure with growing demand.

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